Düsseldorf.
What does “not systemically relevant” mean for the cultural scene? A conversation with Wolfgang Schäfer from the Düsseldorf World Art Room.
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Public cultural life in Germany was canceled for an indefinite period in March. A hopeful summer ended in a “lockdown light” in November, which has now been extended to at least January 10th. “Closed until further notice” and “not systemically relevant” – what does that mean for the cultural scene? An interview with Wolfgang Schäfer, board member of the Hans Peter Zimmer Foundation (HPZ) and artistic director of the Weltkunstzimmer in Düsseldorf.
How did you experience the past year 2020 in the world art room?
Schäfer: As the art center of the Hans Peter Zimmer Foundation, the Weltkunstzimmer has been able to turn the need to “reduce contact to protect against further infection” into a virtue. We were able to fulfill the foundation’s mission of “promoting art through production, presentation, publication” by publishing catalogs such as the exhibition “Good bye cruel world. It’s over ”and a double vinyl with local and national musicians despite the lockdown. We were also able to continue to facilitate various collaborations. In February, Karen Bößer and Beatrix Szörenyi premiered their new piece with us. “The other reason – intoxication. Trance. Ecstasy. ”Is an“ installation performance ”made up of contemporary dance, flowing materials, live music and video projections. We were also able to organize a residency and reading for the writer Larissa Schleher in cooperation with the Niederrhein cultural area. We were also able to support theater productions such as the dance theater “Waldeffekt” by Chikako Kaido and “The Outside in Us” by Marlene Hildebrand. In 2020 we were able to offer a stage to various musicians. For example at our music room concerts such as the double vinyl release and concert in September or the album release concert of the Düsseldorf label Hauch Records. Last Saturday, the final presentation of the Citybeats Band Competition with the JAB could take place in our youth hostel and a lot more.
How could the world art room in 2020 continue to enable culture while Corona restricted the whole world?
We had to rethink. Exhibitions such as Thomas Neumann’s “Exact Confidence Limits” were kept in focus after three public days through digital tours, Instagram interviews and concerts via Zoom. The exhibition “Anatol – Actionist” in September was able to take place with a supporting program such as discussions with Johannes Stüttgen and a visit to Anatol’s studio on the island of Hombroich. The guest exhibition, the digital one, “D1G1TAL S3CR3TS” had to close for public visits after three days. The works of art are discussed very comprehensively on the website and will soon be made visible with a digital tour.
What changes have you noticed in the world art room in working together and in exchange with artists?
As part of the necessary requirements, we have greatly reduced public and personal contacts. There were more online conferences and home offices. We were able to postpone the Butoh – Soundart Festival to May 2021. Likewise the planned artist residencies with Georgia, Armenia, India and Japan. We were very happy about the live performances by Thilo Schölpen, Tom Blankenberg and the Angermann / Kraft duo to present the ambient vinyl with around 90 people in our open-air glass hall.
Would you like more support for the cultural scene in the wake of the corona pandemic?
Training and coaching for digital communication for visual and performing art production and also financial support for their creation would be important. In this way, the culture remains communicable even in lockdown, until the restrictions can hopefully be lifted again soon.
How can you be supported?
Maintain communication with each other and continue to be interested in our work. Order our music room compilation vinyl Ambient and Krautrock, purchase the latest catalog “Good bye cruel world. It’s over “and sign up for the newsletter and visit us as soon as possible.
What are your plans and wishes for the coming year 2021?
We would like to be able to realize the planned projects and enable them to reach our audience and arouse interest. We want to make our contribution to the development of our society and of each individual. According to the motto: “You are part of the whole – be part of it”. We have recently created a poster series for the outdoor space as part of the culture-poor time, which should remind the audience of us and bring more warmth of the heart into the world.
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